Ancient Roman Government

The Functions and History of the Roman Senate In today's modern world representative government is the norm. Nearly all governments are ruled by their citizens via a republic or some other type of governing body. However, in the ancient world, this standard of democratic government had not yet taken hold; political control still belonged to the few elite, rich, and powerful persons and influential families. Thus, we have a contrast between governments of the ancient world and our modern day governments. In other words, the past generally denotes monarchy, empire, or absolute control.

Period of Conquest It was only a tiny city-state, much like the city-states that were growing at the same time in Greece. The common citizens were called the plebs or plebeians. They marched out of Rome in a body and threatened to make a new city in 494 BC. In 350 BC the plebeians were admitted to the dictatorship. The Roman Senate has been called the "most distinguished and important political body, which has ever existed in the world."

Prior to the permanent change to an empire, the Roman government was a republic. Legends say that this republic was founded in 509 B.C.E after a group led by Lucius Junius Brutus overthrew Tarquinius Superbus, the last king of Rome. This new system of Roman government comprised of three sections: the senate, the legislative assemblies, and the executive magistrates. The senate had the responsibilities of voting for pieces of legislation, controlling the treasury, and advising the magistrates. The legislative assemblies were composed of the citizens of the republic, but there were specific groups of people controlling certain asse... ... middle of paper ... ...ate and actually pitted Caesar against Pompey, who became the sole consul of the Roman republic since the government feared Caesar’s power after he was able to defeat many Gallic tribes in his conquest of Gaul.

Carthage Goes to War with Rome From the middle of the 3rd century to the middle of the 2nd century BC, Carthage was engaged in a series of wars with Rome. These wars, known as the Punic Wars, ended in the complete defeat of Carthage by Rome. The most prominent figure of the Punic war s was General Hannibal of Pheonician Carhtage. During these wars, it is likely that the colonizing expeditions of the Carthaginians were supported by many emigrants from the Phoenician homeland. Hannibal (b.

They were responsible for determining the tax liability, military eligibility, and tribe assignments of the people. They could also add or remove people from the Senate, and arrange public contracts and spend public funds. Praetors- There were 2 or more praetors, and the office was open to patricians. One praetor was in charge of judicial matters inside the city. The other praetors were in charge of maintaining Roman authority in conquered lands.

Hannibal would later be exiled and Carthage would never regain its former power. Hopelessly, the Carthaginians tried to stand up to Rome one last time in 151. The city was destroyed and its entire population sold as slaves. Throughout its early history Rome constantly came up new innovative ideas have the upper hand over its enemies. The Romans were a determined people that believed that ruling the world was their destiny and after the defeat of its’ greatest rival Carthage, they were now masters of the Mediterranean.

Rome's most powerful rival was now the distant city of Carthage, ruler of north Africa and the western Mediterranean. During the Punic Wars, Rome suffered the humiliation of seeing a Carthaginian army on its soil for more than a decade. Neither Rome nor Carthage, led by the great general Hannibal, could prevail. Finally, the Carthaginians were forced to withdraw, and Rome chased them home to Africa. In 202 BC at the Battle of Zama, Rome defeated Carthage.

The Romans drove out the Etruscans in 509 B.C. By this time Rome had become a city. As the empire came to its peak it included lands throughout the Mediterranean world. Rome had first expanded into other parts of Italy and neighboring places during the Roman Republic, but made wider conquests and made a strong political power for these lands. In 44 BC Gaius Julius Caesar, the Roman leader who ruled the Roman Republic as a dictator was assassinated.

(notes) In 509 bc the last king of Rome was overthrown by the Senate. The Senate then took responsibility for defending Rome. Created the consuls to replace the kings. (notes) Saw themselves as the true representatives of the Roman people. (notes) Was seen as the representatives of the Roman people until the breakdown of the census.

With ... ... middle of paper ... ...fend the declining Carthage power in the north coast of Africa. Hannibal entered in to battle with Scipio Africanus the Elder. There his younger men fled, some to the Romans, and his veteran warriors were simply beat. Carthage gave in to Rome and the Second Punic War was over. With a peace agreement, Hannibal sought out to gage battle with the Romans.